Sir Alex Ferguson Retires: Fergie's Manchester United Career In Pictures

“The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time," Alex Ferguson said.

Take a look back at his Manchester United career in pictures.

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Sir Alex Ferguson Career In Pictures

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File photo dated 16/05/1999 of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson holding aloft the Premiership Trophy as he celebrates Manchester United becoming Champions of the Premiership at Old Trafford.

Manchester United's new manager Alex Ferguson (L) at a press conference at Old Trafford, with chairman Martin Edwards. * 05/11/2001: Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates 15 years as Manchester United manager, he knows he faces his toughest title challenge yet in the remainder of the season. *29/11/2002 : Martin Edwards has resigned as a non-executive director of Manchester United plc, Friday 29 November, 2002. In a statement to the Stock Exchange, United said he would step down from the position immediately and also revealed Edwards will retire from the board of the football club at the end of the current season.THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE UNLESS SITE IS REGISTERED WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE.

11 May 1996: Alex Ferguson with the trophy after Man Utd's victory over Liverpool in the 1996 FA Cup Final between Manchester United v Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, London. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT

Manchester United's new manager Alex Ferguson (L) at a press conference at Old Trafford, with chairman Martin Edwards. * 05/11/2001: Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates 15 years as Manchester United manager, he knows he faces his toughest title challenge yet in the remainder of the season. *29/11/2002 : Martin Edwards has resigned as a non-executive director of Manchester United plc, Friday 29 November, 2002. In a statement to the Stock Exchange, United said he would step down from the position immediately and also revealed Edwards will retire from the board of the football club at the end of the current season.THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE UNLESS SITE IS REGISTERED WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE.

PA NEWS PHOTO 7/1/90 MANCHESTER UNITED F.C. MANAGER ALEX FERGUSON CELEBRATING WITH SOME OF HIS PLAYERS AFTER MANCHESTER UNITED BEAT NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 IN A CUP ROUND AT THE FOREST GROUND, NOTTINGHAM

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson celebrates with goalkeeper Les Sealey after winning the FA Cup. This was Alex Ferguson's first major trophy as Manchester United manager.

20 May 1990: Bryan Robson of Manchester United and Manager Alex Ferguson celebrate after their victory in the FA Cup Final against Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Manchester United won the match 1-0 after extra time. \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

15 May 1991: Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson holds the trophy aloft after the European Cup Winners Cup final against Barcelona at the Feyenoord Stadium in Rotterdam, Holland. Manchester United won the match 2-1. \ Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport

Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson

ALEX FERGUSON, MANAGER, MANCHESTER UNITED WITH FA PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY IN THE CROWD.

File photo dated 03/05/1993 of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson with the Premier League trophy.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 8: Ryan Giggs, Sir Alex Ferguson and Lee Sharpe of Manchester United celebrate in the dressing room with the Premiership Trophy after becoming FA Carling Premiership Winners in the 1993-94 season at Old Trafford on May 8, 1994. Manchester United 0 Coventry City 0 (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

8 MAY 1994: MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER ALEX FERGUSON AND BRYAN KIDD STAND WITH THE FA PREMIERSHIP TROPHY FOLLOWING THEIR 0-0 DRAW WITH COVENTRY CITY AT THE OLD TRAFFORD STADIUM. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT

11 May 1997: Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager holds aloft the FA Carling Premier League Championship Trophy after the match against West Ham United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Manchester United won 2-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford /Allsport

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates at the final whistle with Roy Keane after victory in the FA Cup Final between Manchester United v Newcastle at Wembley Stadium on May 22, 1999 in London. Manchester United 2 Newcastle United 0. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

22 May 1999: Alex Ferguson the manager of Manchester United celebrates with the trophy after the AXA FA Cup Final match against Newcastle United played at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The match finished in a 2-0 win for Manchester United and they completed the 'Double' for the third time in six years. \ Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford /Allsport

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 26: Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates with the European Cup in the dressing room after the UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich v Manchester United at the Nou camp Stadium on 26 May, 1999 in Barcelona, Spain. Bayern Munich 1 Manchester United 2. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

26 May 1999: Alex Ferguson celebrates with Manchester United players and the European Cup after winning the European Champions League Final against Bayern Munich in the Nou Camp Stadium, Barcelona, Spain. Manchester United won 2 - 1 with both United goals scored during injury time, to secure the treble of League, FA Cup and European Cup. \ Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill /Allsport

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Sir Alex Ferguson kisses the European Cup the morning after the victory in the UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich v Manchester United at the Nou camp Stadium on 26 May, 1999 in Barcelona, Spain. Bayern Munich 1 Manchester United 2. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

This picture can only be used in the context of an editorial feature. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson smiles as his side are crowned FA Carling Premiership Champions, after their football match against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. * Final score : Manchester United 3, Tottenham Hotspur 1. * 07/02/01 Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson smiling after his side are crowned FA Carling Premiership Champions. Manchester United today, Wednesday 7th February 2001 announced they are joining forces with baseball club the New York Yankees in a bid to tap into the vast untapped soccer market in America.

THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE UNLESS SITE IS REGISTERED WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (left) lifts the FA Carling Premiership trophy with his captain Roy Keane after Premiership match against Derby County at OId Trafford, Manchester.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Sir Alex Ferguson passes the Barclaycard Premiership trophy to his captain Roy Keane after the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Everton v Manchester United at Goodison Park on May 11, 2003 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson holds the Premiership trophy after his side 2-1 win over Everton in their FA Barclaycard Premiership match at Everton's Goodison Park ground in Liverpool. THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE UNLESS SITE IS REGISTERED WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates with his grandson Jake after the 1-0 win against Arsenal, during the FA Cup semi final at Villa Park, Birmingham. THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE UNLESS SITE IS REGISTERED WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE.

CARDIFF, WALES - MAY 22: Goalkeeping coach Tony Coton, Kit men Alec Wylie and Albert Morgan, Nutrionalist Trevor Lea, Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Masseur Garry Armer, Physio Rob Swire and Assistant Manager Walter Smith of Manchester United celebrate with the FA Cup after winning the AXA FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Millwall at the Millennium Stadium on May 22, 2004 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates with the trophy after defeating Wigan Athletic in the Carling Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Sunday February 26, 2006. Final score: Manchester United 4 - Wigan 0. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo credit should read: Gareth Copley/PA THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE UNLESS SITE IS REGISTERED WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE.

BOLTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 1: Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United celebrates at the end of the Barclays Premiership match between Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United at the Reebok Stadium on April 1 2006 in Bolton, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 28: Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Carrick following his team's victory, as Mikel Arteta shows his dejection at the end of the Barclays Premiership match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on April 28, 2007 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 13: Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates as Ryan Giggs (L) and Gary Neville of Manchester United lift the Premiership trophy after winning the Premiership title at the end of the Barclays Premiership match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on May 13, 2007 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

WIGAN, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlos Queiroz of Manchester United celebrate with the Premier League trophy on the pitch after the Barclays FA Premier League match between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United at JJB Stadium on May 11 2008, in Wigan, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

File photo dated 21/05/2008 of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with the trophy after the UEFA Champions League Final at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 21: Manchester United Head Coach Alex Ferguson celebrates after winning the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008 final match between Manchester United and Liga de Quito at the International Stadium Yokohama on December 21, 2008 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Manchester United defeated Liga de Quito by 1-0. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson celebrates as he leaves the pitch after huis side had beaten Aston Villa 3-2 during the English Premiership football match at Old Trafford, Manchester, north-west England, on April 5, 2009. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson (R) and Assistant Mike Phelan celebrate with the Barclays Premier League trophy after their side won the Premier League title at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on May 16, 2009 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson celebrates after his team scored their winning goal during the English Premier League football match against Manchester City at Old Trafford, in Manchester, north-west England on September 20, 2009. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES --- FOR EDITORIAL USE Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images)

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates with the trophy after his team beat Aston Villa 2-1 to win the 2010 Carling Cup Final at Wembley, in north London, on February 28, 2010. AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZA (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images)

Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates after winning the Barclays Premiership during the Barclays Premier League match at Ewood Park, Blackburn

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates with the Premier League trophy

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is given a guard of honour as he celebrates 25 years at the club

General view of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates after the final whistle

File photo dated 08/06/1996 of Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan (left) gets to grips with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson as they meet at Wembley for the start of the European Championships. PRESS ASSOCITAION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday May 8, 2013. Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of this season, Manchester United have announced. See PA Story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Adam Butler/PA Wire.

File photo dated 17/08/2012 of Manchester United's new signing Robin Van Persie (left) with manager Sir Alex Ferguson following a press conference at Old Trafford, Manchester. PRESS ASSOCITAION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday May 8, 2013. Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of this season, Manchester United have announced. See PA Story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Barrington Coombs/PA Wire.

File photo dated 01/09/2004 of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (left) and new signing Wayne Rooney (right) with Joe Ruane (centre) who held a sign pleading for the club to sign Rooney at the match against Dinamo Buchrest. PRESS ASSOCITAION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday May 8, 2013. Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of this season, Manchester United have announced. See PA Story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Gareth Copley/PA Wire.

File photo dated 26/05/99 of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with the UEFA Champions League Trophy following victory over Bayern Munich. PRESS ASSOCITAION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday May 8, 2013. Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of this season, Manchester United have announced. See PA Story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Phil Noble/PA Wire.

File photo dated 9/12/2001 of England's David Beckham (L) with his BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award 2001 and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with his Lifetime Achievement Award at BBC Television Centre, London. PRESS ASSOCITAION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday May 8, 2013. Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of this season, Manchester United have announced. See PA Story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Toby Melville/PA Wire.

File photo dated 22/02/2002 of Manchester United's new 30million signing Rio Ferdinand stands with club manager Alex Ferguson as they pose for photographers at the club's Old Trafford ground. PRESS ASSOCITAION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday May 8, 2013. Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of this season, Manchester United have announced. See PA Story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

File photo dated 17/05/1990 of The Manchester United team after winning the FA Cup at Wembley. United beat Crystal Palace 1-0. PRESS ASSOCITAION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday May 8, 2013. Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of this season, Manchester United have announced. See PA Story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: PA Wire.

File photo dated 27/04/2001 of Manchester United's record signing Ruud Van Nistelrooy with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, Manchester. The player joins United from Dutch team Eindhoven. PRESS ASSOCITAION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday May 8, 2013. Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of this season, Manchester United have announced. See PA Story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Phil Noble/PA Wire.

File photo dated 22/4/2013 of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates winning the league title after the final whistle. PRESS ASSOCITAION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday May 8, 2013. Sir Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of this season, Manchester United have announced. See PA Story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson presented with award for second best coach in Europe

Scotland manager Jock Stein (r) looks at his watch while his assistant Alex Ferguson (l) waits for the Scotland squad to appear for training

England's David Beckham (L) with his BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award 2001 and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with his Lifetime Achievement Award at BBC Television Centre, London.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates with the trophy after defeating Wigan Athletic in the Carling Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Sunday February 26, 2006. Final score: Manchester United 4 - Wigan 0. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo credit should read: Gareth Copley/PA THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE UNLESS SITE IS REGISTERED WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE.

Manchester United's David Beckham with manager Sir Alex Ferguson after signing a new contract

This picture can only be used within the context of an editorial feature. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson lifts the FA Cup following his sides 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Labour leader Tony Blair (left) parries a shot at goal as Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson takes cover behind during a visit today (Thursday) to Devonshire Road primary school in Blackpool where Ferguson was coaching the school's boys and girls football teams.

Labour leader Tony Blair and his wife Cherie Booth meet with Manchester United Football Club manager Alex Ferguson (right) at the Midland Hotel in Manchester tonight (Sunday).

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough (R) during the opening of the 'Pirelli Stadium', in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Monday November 14, 2005. Ferguson has revealed key players Gary Neville and Roy Keane are some way from full fitness. There was a suggestion the pair, would play in tonight's friendly to celebrate the opening of Burton Albion's new stadium. See PA story SOCCER Man Utd. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA.THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO UNOFFICIAL CLUB WEBSITE USE.

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan cracks his Premiership rival Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson over the head with a football rattle at Wembley as they got together to commentate for ITV on the opening England versus Switzerland game in the Euro 96 European Championships.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson (c) shakes hands with his two new signings, Viv Anderson (l) and Brian McClair (r)

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson (r) watches his new team for the first time as they crash to a 2-0 defeat

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with students (left to right) Siobhan Smith, Nicola Hunter, Emma Hanley and Mairead Linning, during a visit to the hair dressing department in his former school, Govan High School, which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Sir Alex Ferguson trades stocks, shares and gilts at BGC offices in Canary Wharf, London, during BGC's charity day in aid of the 9/11 fund.

Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson during the PFA Player of the Year Awards 2013 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Alex Ferguson in Glasgow making history as the first football club manager to take his sacking to an industrial tribunal claiming unfair dismissal. Alex Ferguson lost his job as manager at Scottish Premier League club St Mirren in May, but is currently at Aberdeen. St Mirren chairman William Scott told the tribunal Mr Ferguson had been sacked for the 'improper carrying out of his duties'. St Mirren won the case.